Spurs coach Gregg Popovich over the years

March 16, 2013 9:29 PM

Photo: JERRY LARA/San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Gregg Popovich is becoming the 12th coach in NBA history to reach 900 career wins. Popovich became the Spurs' head coach during the 1996-97 season. Click ahead to see photos of his head coaching career with the Spurs. less

The Spurs' Gregg Popovich is becoming the 12th coach in NBA history to reach 900 career wins. Popovich became the Spurs' head coach during the 1996-97 season. Click ahead to see photos of his head coaching ... more

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News

The Spurs' Gregg Popovich is becoming the 12th coach in NBA... Photo-4359650.48965 - San Antonio Express-News

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Coach Gregg Popovich celebrates the Spurs' first NBA title while cruising down the Riverwalk during the city's victory parade on June 27, 1999.

Coach Gregg Popovich celebrates the Spurs' first NBA title while cruising down the Riverwalk during the city's victory parade on June 27, 1999.

The Spurs' Tim Duncan (left) and coach Gregg Popovich celebrate after defeating the New York Knicks 78-77 to clinch the championship in Game 5 of the 1999 NBA Finals on June 25, 1999, at New York's Madison Square Garden. less

The Spurs' Tim Duncan (left) and coach Gregg Popovich celebrate after defeating the New York Knicks 78-77 to clinch the championship in Game 5 of the 1999 NBA Finals on June 25, 1999, at New York's Madison ... more

David Robinson holds up the McDonald's Championship trophy after the Spurs defeated Brazil Vasco Da Gama 103-68 to win the international tournament in Milan, Italy on Oct. 16, 1999. Celebrating with the team is NBA commissioner David Stern (left), coach Gregg Popovich and team owner Peter Holt (right). less

David Robinson holds up the McDonald's Championship trophy after the Spurs defeated Brazil Vasco Da Gama 103-68 to win the international tournament in Milan, Italy on Oct. 16, 1999. Celebrating with the team is ... more

Photo: DOUG SEHRES, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

David Robinson holds up the McDonald's Championship trophy... Photo-3452367.48965 - San Antonio Express-News

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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to Antonio Daniels and Avery Johnson during first period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, May 27, 2001.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to Antonio Daniels and Avery Johnson during first period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, May 27, 2001.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to David Robinson during a timeout in the third quarter against the Miami Heat in Miami on March 25, 2001.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to David Robinson during a timeout in the third quarter against the Miami Heat in Miami on March 25, 2001.

Photo: STEVE MITCHELL, AP

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to David Robinson during a timeout... Photo-3452357.48965 - San Antonio Express-News

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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (right) is joined on the sidelines by guard Tony Parker in the third quarter of Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on May 5, 2002. The Lakers won the game 86-80. less

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (right) is joined on the sidelines by guard Tony Parker in the third quarter of Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on ... more

Photo: KEVORK DJANSEZIAN, AP

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (right) is joined on the sidelines by... Photo-3452369.48965 - San Antonio Express-News

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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and David Robinson confer during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Finals at the SBC Center on Friday, June 6, 2003.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and David Robinson confer during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Finals at the SBC Center on Friday, June 6, 2003.

NBA Commissioner David Stern (right) greets Spurs coach Gregg Popovich during the Spurs' championship ring ceremony Oct. 28, 2003 at the SBC Center before the start of their game against the Phoenix Suns.

NBA Commissioner David Stern (right) greets Spurs coach Gregg Popovich during the Spurs' championship ring ceremony Oct. 28, 2003 at the SBC Center before the start of their game against the Phoenix Suns.

Spurs' Gregg Popovich talks with Tony Parker late in the game with the Lakers during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 11, 2003.

Spurs' Gregg Popovich talks with Tony Parker late in the game with the Lakers during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 11, 2003.

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Spurs' Gregg Popovich talks with Tony Parker late in the game... Photo-3452373.48965 - San Antonio Express-News

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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich answers questions during a news conference after he was named winner of the Red Auerbach Trophy making him the 2002-03 NBA Coach of the Year at the Spurs' practice facility on April 28, 2003. less

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich answers questions during a news conference after he was named winner of the Red Auerbach Trophy making him the 2002-03 NBA Coach of the Year at the Spurs' practice facility on April ... more

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (left) jokes with player Fabricio Oberto at the end of the second practice of their training camp at the University of the Virgin Islands in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Oct. 5, 2005. less

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (left) jokes with player Fabricio Oberto at the end of the second practice of their training camp at the University of the Virgin Islands in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Oct. 5, ... more

Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan go over a play during a timeout in the fourth quarter of their preseason game Oct. 22, 2008 at the AT&T Center.

Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan go over a play during a timeout in the fourth quarter of their preseason game Oct. 22, 2008 at the AT&T Center.

Photo: BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS NEWS

Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan go over a play during a timeout in... Photo-3452351.48965 - San Antonio Express-News

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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (right) argues a call with referee Ken Mauer in the fourth quarter of the Denver Nuggets' 104-96 victory over the Spurs in an NBA basketball game in Denver on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (right) argues a call with referee Ken Mauer in the fourth quarter of the Denver Nuggets' 104-96 victory over the Spurs in an NBA basketball game in Denver on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks with the media at the practice facility as the break for vacation May 10, 2010. The Spurs were swept by the Phoenix Sun in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks with the media at the practice facility as the break for vacation May 10, 2010. The Spurs were swept by the Phoenix Sun in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Photo: JERRY LARA, San Antonio Express-News

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks with the media at the practice... Photo-3452386.48965 - San Antonio Express-News

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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich laughs with guard George Hill during practice at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Tuesday, May 4, 2010. The Spurs lost the first game of a seven series in the Western Conference semi-finals against the Phoenix Suns. less

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich laughs with guard George Hill during practice at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Tuesday, May 4, 2010. The Spurs lost the first game of a seven series in the Western Conference ... more

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich holds the Red Auerbach trophy as Tim Duncan and David Robinson look on before Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Utah Jazz Wednesday May 2, 2012 at the AT&T Center. less

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich holds the Red Auerbach trophy as Tim Duncan and David Robinson look on before Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Utah Jazz Wednesday May 2, 2012 at the AT&T ... more

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich receives the Red Auerbach trophy for being chosen as the 2011-12 NBA coach of the year on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Popovich was joined by his staff along with Spurs General Manager R.C. Buford for the announcement at their training facility. less

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich receives the Red Auerbach trophy for being chosen as the 2011-12 NBA coach of the year on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Popovich was joined by his staff along with Spurs General Manager R.C. ... more